Isaac Brenya (27) from Ghana is a green entrepreneur whose start-up company, Ecovon Limited is changing the building industry.
Brenya had always believed that there had to be a better way of producing cheaper and more eco-friendly building materials. At Ecovon Limited, which had been established in 2016, the focus is on re-designing a new generation of building materials. The company is supplying the building industry with sustainably-sourced, newly engineered wood made from coconut husk and sugar cane bagasse.
This formaldehyde-free wood alternative benefits the people and the planet as the first non-additive, bio-based, renewable wood product which is naturally flame retardant and anti-fungal without added glues. The physical properties had been scientifically proved to be better than comparable engineered woods on the market, all which use additives and heavy chemicals.
Brenya’s products, which saw him among finalists in various international competitions, reduces the much maligned CO2 footprint, decreases deforestation and enriches the lives of locals in coconut and sugarcane producing developing countries such as Ghana.
The board material is comparable with or even superior to commercial wood- based panels, stronger and more durable, priced considerably less and of course, greener. Coconut husk has the highest lignin content of any known plant which helps raw material to bind into hard board without the addition of damaging glue or binder. Due to its strength, the board has the potential to be used for structural elements in buildings. It also has natural anti-fungal properties and burns three times slower than wood.
The residual material of the coconut is used in its entirety, an excellent alternative to wood helping to halt deforestation. During production, no glue or chemical agents are added. Glue added to wood fibre boards contributes to one third of total production costs.
The benefits of these products not only mitigate climate change, but had seen rural communities in Ghana become part of the value chain, creating a sustainable income for coconut and sugarcane producing farmers. Evocon had also created an additional 500 indirect jobs for the poorer rural area in which Brenya grew up.
This innovative young man holds a BSc Development Planning degree from the University for Development Studies, Ghana. He also supports other green entrepreneurs with innovative ideas to get their dreams realised.
If any sponsor should wish to get in touch with Brenya, contact him on brenya2011@live.com or call him on (233) 249993141.
